Perry has Fastnet Rock ready to roll

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The $20 million colt Fastnet Rock is ready to take on the world.
That was the declaration from connections after the Newcastle hulk
contemptuously won a barrier trial at Wyong yesterday.

The aristocrat is primed for Britain and next month's Royal
Ascot meeting at York. "He is right where you want him," trainer
Paul Perry said.

The Newcastle horseman stunned the Europeans two years ago by
snaring the King's Stand Stakes and Golden Jubilee Stakes at the
Royal Ascot meeting with a colt named Choisir. No Australian
trainer or horse had previously climbed racing's version of Mt
Everest.

"He is about the same condition-wise as Choisir was when he
left," Perry declared. "I remember Choisir won a trial at Gosford
before he went, it was exactly the same."

Jockey Andrew Gibbons has been a regular on Fastnet Rock for
fast work at Broadmeadow and it was the same with Choisir.

Gibbons was on board Fastnet Rock in yesterday's 800-metre
stroll and warning sirens went off. "It was a very similar trial to
Choisir's and that's why Paul Perry is such a great trainer,"
Gibbons said. "Neither of them were wound up and why would they be
at this stage, but they both felt so great.

"I never let him [Fastnet Rock] slide but just at the finish I
asked him to quicken a little bit and I could feel the power under
me. Nothing fazes this horse and he will travel over there without
any worries. He'll give them some."

Another factor from which Perry draws confidence is revealed
when he is asked to compare Choisir and Fastnet Rock. "They are
much the same sort of horse," he said. "The other one was such a
laid-back, big bloke, one that handled the trip, settled in - and I
think this one is the same."

Asked about the experience they gained last time around, Perry
replied: "We didn't know one thing about it. You go there this time
knowing exactly where you are at."

Perry's son Shannon travelled with Choisir to England and has
been Fastnet Rock's constant companion since the colt returned from
the Coolmore Stud spelling paddock about a month ago.

Shannon Perry travelled with Fastnet Rock on the float to Wyong
from Newcastle and after the trial said: "He could go now and win a
Lightning Stakes, that's where he is at. Dad has got him
spot-on."

Fastnet Rock is owned by the global dominator Coolmore, and its
Australian chief Michael Kirwan was present for the trial along
with another executive, Duncan Grimley. Kirwan said: "The horse did
exactly what Paul wanted."

While casting an eye over the three-year-old in stall 79, he
added: "He looks happy, he is enjoying himself."

The Coolmore crew is leaving nothing to chance, with the
Ireland-based operation flying its veterinarian Adrian O'Brien to
Australia to accompany Fastnet Rock and Shannon Perry on the plane
north.

"He [O'Brien] has been travelling around the world with our
stallions for the past 20 years," Kirwan said. "You have to cover
everything and you can't beat experience."

Fastnet Rock is due to leave Australia on Tuesday week with his
first start scheduled for the group 2 King's Stand Stakes on June
14, while the group 1 Golden Jubilee is four days later.

Kirwan was asked what a victory would do for the value of
Fastnet Rock and the question was immediately directed to Grimley.
"If he wins he'll stand at stud in Ireland as well as here,"
Grimley said. "That's what it will do to his value."

■ Hoofnote: Fastnet Rock's full-sister Sarasota goes
around in the Webster Signs Handicap at Randwick today, with Perry
saying: "She has trialled twice this time in, she is going
good."